Plant Science Day

The Johnson Lecture • Short Talks • Demonstrations Field Experiments • Nurserymen’s Plant Discoveries Century Farm Award • Barn Exhibits

Lockwood Farm, Hamden August 1, 2001

THE SAMUEL W. JOHNSON MEMORIAL LECTURE The Station Board of Control established the lectureship to further discussion of issues of concern to residents and the Station. Professor Johnson was director of the Station from 1877 to 1900 and was a leader in the establishment of American agricultural experiment stations.

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS Staff in the question-and-answer tent are prepared to give information on identification of , plant disorders, soils and their management, and other problems of growers and gardeners. CENTURY FARM AWARD The Century Farm Award goes to a farm that has been in family operation for more than 100 years. The recipient is selected by the Connecticut Agriculture and Natural Resources Association.

FRINK HIGHLAND FARM, STERLING

In 1696, Sergeant John Frink was granted 200 acres of land in Voluntown for services rendered during King Phillip’s War. The land has remained in the Frink family since that time and is presently owned and operated by Albert Frink and his son Timothy, the fifth generation to have worked this land. John Frink’s grandson, Zachariah was probably the first to live on the land atop Ekonk Hill. Town records indicate that in 1788 Joshua Frink served as representative to the State Legislature.

The original farmhouse built four generations back still looks out over the rolling countryside. In those days a pair of oxen pulled the plows. The next generation farmed with horses. In 1922 Herman Frink took over the farm and was the first generation to work with a tractor. By 1967, Frink’s Highland Farm sent two tons of milk in a tank truck to the Hood Plant each day.

In addition to his dairy farming career, Herman was also a cattle dealer, auctioneer, businessman, state representative, judge, and justice of the peace. His son Albert was recognized as an Outstanding Young Farmer in 1968 as he farmed 400 acres in corn, hay and silage for the herd of 107 Holstein cows. Albert extended himself in the community through leadership in the Ekonk Grange, Farm Bureau, and Danielson Lodge of Elks. He has served as Justice of the Peace and a member of the Democratic Town Committee in Sterling.

Today, Albert’s son Timothy Frink lives in his great-great-great grandfather’s farmhouse and continues to be sustained by the farmland that has withstood the challenges of time and nature and man.

STATION WEB PAGE The Experiment Station has a world wide web page at: WWW.CAES.STATE.CT.US

After the lecture, visitors may remain in the tent for lunch. Coffee and cold drinks are free. PLANT SCIENCE DAY THE CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION LOCKWOOD FARM August 1, 2001

MAIN TENT, 11:30 A.M. John F. Anderson–PRESIDING

CENTURY FARM AWARD David Schreiber–PRESENTER

THE SAMUEL W. JOHNSON MEMORIAL LECTURE Terry Jones Jones Family Farms, Shelton Blending Land Conservation with Economic Development: Compost for a Growing Community!

REMARKS Edmund Tucker President, Experiment Station Associates

SHORT TALKS 10:45 West Nile Virus: Where is it Going? Theodore G. Andreadis The impact and spread of West Nile virus in the since 1999 and research, surveillance, and an update on virus activity in the state will be discussed. 1:15 Plants that Attract Butterflies to Your Garden Carol R. Lemmon Plants that attract butterflies to a garden will be discussed. Some plants are important food sources and some flowering plants and shrubs provide nectar for adults.

1:45 Testing for E. coli O157:H7 in Deer Douglas W. Dingman A-two-year study shows that deer are an incidental host for the E. coli O157:H7 bacterium and not a long-term carrier. However, precautions on the preparation of deer meat are required to minimize the likelihood of infection.

2:15 Lyme Disease Prevention Programs Kirby C. Stafford III The emphasis for tick control methods in Connecticut has shifted to community-based programs, integrated tick management, and host-targeted methods. DEMONSTRATIONS 10:15 Starting Plants in Hydroponics Martin P.N. Gent The germination and growth of lettuce in water solution as well as the germination and growth of tomato in water solution and rock wool, an inert medium used in greenhouse tomato production, will be discussed. 2:45 Pruning of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs Sharon M. Douglas This demonstration will focus on why, how, and when to prune. Tree anatomy, tools, pruning cuts, and specialized techniques for woody shrubs and trees will be discussed. THE CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION The experiments exhibited here depict only a portion of the work of Station Scientists. In addition to Lockwood Farm and Laboratories in New Haven and Windsor, Station Scientists use state forests, private orchards, and farms for their experiments. Experiments and surveys of problems are conducted in many towns of the state.

THE EXPERIMENT STATION HAS A WEB PAGE The address of the web page is http://www.caes.state.ct.us

TO RECEIVE A COMPLETE LIST OF STATION SPEAKERS: inquire at the Publications table in the barn or write to: Publications; The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; P.O. Box 1106; New Haven, CT 06504-1106

TO RECEIVE A COMPLETE LIST OF AVAILABLE STATION PUBLICATIONS: Inquire at the Publications table in the barn or write to: Publications; The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; P.O. Box 1106; New Haven, CT 06504-1106 BARN EXHIBITS

DIETARY AND NON-DIETARY PESTICIDE SOURCES Department: Analytical Chemistry Principal investigator: Walter J. Krol. Assisted by Terri Arsenault Market-basket pesticide testing illustrates exposure to pesticides from dietary sources and a summary of non-dietary sources and research is presented.

GENETIC ENGINEERING OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS Department: Biochemistry and Genetics Principal investigator: Richard B. Peterson About 100 genes make products that participate directly in the photosynthetic conversion of CO2 and water to carbohydrate in leaves. New strategies for improvement of photosynthetic efficiency implemented through genetic engineering could have enormous effects on crop productivity and global ecology.

AERIAL DISPERSAL OF PLANT PATHOGENS Department: Plant Pathology and Ecology Principal investigator: Donald E. Aylor. Assisted by Peter Thiel and Steven M. Bernacki The Station is developing a mathematical model for the aerial transport of spores to estimate the relative danger of infections from spores both within and outside a cropped area. The aim is to predict the probability of disease spread between fields and to use this information to reduce pesticide use.

EXOTIC WEEDS THREATEN OUR LAKES Department: Soil and Water Principal investigators: Gregory J. Bugbee and Jason C. White. Assisted by Jessica Dombrowski and Lydia Wagner Non-native aquatic plants spread rapidly because of few natural controls. These weeds can limit recreation, crowd out native vegetation, disrupt water supplies, and decrease property values. The Station is investigating spot applications of herbicides to control aquatic weeds.

WHITE GRUBS IN TURF Department: Entomology Principal investigator: Richard S. Cowles White grubs, the larvae of scarab beetles, can cause serious injury to turf. The four species normally found in Connecticut vary in their susceptibility to available chemical insecticides and biological control materials.

WINE GRAPE Department: Forestry and Horticulture Principal investigator: Richard K. Kiyomoto. Assisted by Joan Bravo Wine grape cultivars are being identified which grow best under different environmental and cultural conditions in Connecticut.

FIELD PLOTS 1. Chinese Trees 2. Sheet Composting with and Leaves 3. Grape Tomato Trials 4. Annual Culture of Globe Artichokes 5. Utilization of Compost in Butternut Squash Production 6. Calabaza Squash Trials 7. Sweet Potato Trials 8. Biological Control of Crown and Root Rot of Asparagus 9. Hydroponic Greenhouse Tomatoes 10. Biological Control of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid 11. Disease-Resistant Apple Trial 12. Mushroom Compost in Container Media for Chrysanthemums 13. Wine Grape Trials 14. Evaluation of Asparagus Cultivars for Connecticut 15. Composting Leaves with the Static Pile Method 16. Control of Blight on American 17. New Chestnut Orchard 18. Question and Answer Tent 19. Canola and Kale as Green Manure Crops to Control Verticillium Wilt 20. Introduced Insects that Threaten Landscape and Orchard Plants 21. Raspberry Trial 22. Hop Pest Tolerance Trial 23. Orchard of Nut Trees 24. Phytoremediation of Agricultural Soils Contaminated with DDE 25. Connecticut Fund for the Environment 26. Biological Availability of Chemicals in Soil 27. Experiment Station Associates 28. Spiders of Connecticut 29. Mosquito Surveillance for West Nile Virus 30. Bell Atlantic Telephone Transmission Silo 31. Sampling and Analysis of Pesticides in Air 32. Minimum Fertilization for Home Gardens Amended by Leafmold 33. Influence of of Development on White Cedar Wetlands 34. Lyme Disease in Ticks from Connecticut Citizens 35. New Ehrlichia Discovered in Connecticut 36. Deer-Vehicle Collisions in Connecticut 37. Methods of Estimating Deer Population Size in Suburbia 38. Host-Targeted Control of the “Deer” Tick 39. Connecticut Weeds and Wild Plants 40. Plant Health Care for the Connecticut Nursery and Landscaping Industries 41. Utilization of Compost in Cut Flower Production 42. Environmentally Friendly Controls of Powdery Mildew on Pumpkin and Muskmelon 43. Spread of Septoria Leaf Spot in a Linear Planting of Tomatoes 44. Utilization of Compost in Root Crop Production 45. Biological Control of Fusarium Rot of Gladiolus 46. Fusarium Wilt of 47. Effect of Trellising on Severity of Tomato Powdery Mildew 48. Effect of NaCl on the Rust Disease of Asparagus 49. Connecticut Nurserymen’s Garden 50. Butterfly Garden and Bird Garden 51. The Gypsy Fungus 52. Native Woody Shrubs 53. Nursery and Bee Inspections 54. Rotation Crops to Reduce Lesion Nematodes and Potato Early Dying Disease 55. Susceptibility of Chestnuts to Powdery Mildew 56. Chestnut Species and Hybrids 57. Dense Planting of American Chestnuts 58. Dwarf Hybrid Chestnut Trees 59. Apple Trial 60. Nectria Canker of Black 61. Japanese Plum Trials 62. Rocky Hill American Chestnut Trees 63. NE-183 Apple Variety Trial 64. Cover Crops and their Effects on Pest Management FIELD PLOTS

The plots at Lockwood Farm are planted and maintained by Experiment Station scientists with the help of Farm Manager E. Naughton, and his staff, R. Cecarelli and R. Hannan, and the following summer workers: C. Bellmore, N. O’Brien, and M. Nacca.

1. CHINESE CHESTNUT TREES 3. GRAPE TOMATO TRIALS S. Anagnostakis D. Hill These Chinese chestnut trees, planted by “Grape” tomatoes are becoming more popular Donald Jones in 1941, were selected by chestnut than the larger cherry tomatoes according to crop grower W.C. Deming of Litchfield and grafted by reporting services and could eventually replace the Hartford Park Department. The second tree them. The appeal lies in their smaller size, from the gate is a graft of the cultivar ‘Bartlett’ sweetness, thin skin, and firmer texture compared that was developed by the Bartlett Tree Co. in to cherry tomatoes which often cannot be eaten in Stamford. All have been used by the Experiment one bite. We are testing six cultivars for yield, Station and The American Chestnut Foundation in resistance to cracking, sweetness, and texture. crosses with American chestnut trees to produce blight-resistant forest and orchard trees. 4. ANNUAL CULTURE OF GLOBE ARTICHOKES 2. SHEET COMPOSTING WITH OAK AND D. Hill MAPLE LEAVES Connecticut lies at the center of one of the A. Maynard largest artichoke-eating populations in the United Many homeowners have a predominance of States. Fully 40% of California’s crop, which oak trees in their backyards. Oak leaves are known accounts for 95% of the nation’s supply, is sold to be more resistant to decomposition than maple through regional markets from City to leaves. This experiment is investigating whether Boston. Annual production is triggered by the use this difference in the rate of decomposition leads of artificially induced vernalization (refrigerated to decreased yields in soils amended with oak cool, moist treatment) and the use of gibberellic leaves compared to maple leaves and unamended acid, a natural plant hormone. The Green Globe controls. Undecomposed oak and maple leaves variety requires such treatments to produce edible were layered about 6 inches thick in the falls of buds in early July. New cultivars Amethyst and 1995-2000 and incorporated into the soil by Imperial Star have been selected by growers in rototilling. Lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant, and Southern California and Arizona because they peppers were grown from transplants and all plots require only 250 hours of temperatures below 50F, received the same amount (1300 lb/A) of 10-10-10 which can be accumulated in a cold frame. In our fertilizer. Yields from plots amended with oak trial, yield and timing of production of these new leaves were compared to plots amended with cultivars are being compared with Green Globe maple leaves and the unamended controls. There which normally requires artificial inducement of have been no significant differences in yields of budding. In 2000, Imperial Star produced 5.0 any of the crops with any of the treatments. buds/plant with an average weight of 6.1 ounces/bud. Although Emerald produced fewer compared to plants that required 12 square feet or buds/plant (3.8) their average weight was greatest 30 square feet. (6.5 ounces) among all cultivars tested. Green Globe averaged 5.7 buds/plant but only 72% of 7. SWEET POTATO TRIALS the plants were productive under natural D. Hill vernalization. A survey by the Connecticut Department of 5. UTILIZATION OF COMPOST IN Agriculture of consumers who purchase native- BUTTERNUT SQUASH PRODUCTION grown vegetables at the 65 farmers markets and the 120 growers who supply these markets A. Maynard identified sweet potatoes as one of the most Virtually no research has been done utilizing popular specialty vegetables. They are one of the compost on crops with long-term fertility most nutritious vegetables and are available requirements such as winter squash. Although throughout the year by curing and long-term encouraging data exists on the benefits of using storage. In this trial we are evaluating the yield compost, most growers want data that is local and and quality of six cultivars grown from vegetative specific to the type of crops they are growing. To slips. Short-vined Vardaman and Bunch Porto determine the rate of inorganic fertilizer needed Rico may be appealing to home gardeners because with leaf compost for optimum production of they conserve space. In 2000, Beauregard, butternut squash, I am comparing yields of Georgia Jet, and Jewel produced over 415 40-lb butternut squash being grown under three leaf crates of marketable roots (Jumbo and U.S.#1). compost/fertilizer combinations to an unamended Total yield of Georgia Jet would have been much control fertilized at the full rate of 10-10-10 greater, but 46% of the roots were split and fertilizer (1300 lb/A). These treatments will be unmarketable. Despite 130 days of growing repeated for three consecutive years to observe weather (10 more than normal), 68% of Bunch any cumulative effect. Porto Rico and 63% of Vardaman roots failed to reach U.S.#1 size and were graded as canners 6. CALABAZA SQUASH TRIALS when planted on May 28. This year we planted D. Hill earlier (May 18) to increase the yield of U.S.#1 grade for these late-maturing cultivars. Calabaza squash, also known as tropical pumpkin, is grown mostly in tropical and semi- 8. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CROWN AND tropical climates. Calabaza is highly prized by ROOT ROT OF ASPARAGUS consumers of Hispanic origin in Connecticut. It was identified by a Connecticut Department of W. Elmer Assisted by E. O’Dowd and L. Ferraro Agriculture survey as one of the most sought-after A soilborne disease called Fusarium crown and vegetables at Connecticut’s farmers markets. The root rot destroyed commercial asparagus vines of this tropical squash are up to 30 feet long production in Connecticut during the 1950s and and require large amounts of space. In this trial, 1960s. Applications of NaCl will suppress this we are testing new varieties that require less disease and increase yields. It is also known that space. In preliminary trials in 2000, a variety that early root colonization by beneficial organisms, requires 18 square feet of space produced the most like mycorrhizae, can increase the longevity of the fruit (5.6/plant) and the heaviest fruit (6.9 lb/fruit) planting. These plots were designed to evaluate a product that enhances mycorrhizal root 10. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF HEMLOCK colonization with and without NaCl for their long- WOOLLY ADELGID term effects on Fusarium crown and root rot and M. McClure and C. Cheah Assisted by yield. The planting was established in June 1999. M. Klepacki and S. Lamoureux In the spring of this year, we observed significant yield increases in plots treated with the During the past 6 years we have reared and mycorrhizal-enhancing products and in plots released more than 180,000 adults of the ladybird treated with NaCl when compared to untreated beetle, Pseudoscymnus tsugae Sasaji and plots. When treatments were combined, the McClure, an important predator of the hemlock amount of yield was additive. woolly adelgid in Japan, in 19 hemlock forests in Connecticut, one in , and two in 9. HYDROPONIC GREENHOUSE TOMATOES Virginia to evaluate P. tsugae as a biological control agent. Initial results were encouraging, M. Gent Assisted by M. Short because adelgid numbers were reduced 47-87% on A wide variety of fertilizer combinations have release branches after only 5 months. However, been recommended for producing greenhouse infested hemlocks generally declined during 1996 tomatoes. It is not clear which combination is best to 1999 because of drought and relatively mild in the Northeast. The recommendations differ in winters which enhanced the survival and growth concentrations of nitrogen, particularly in the fruit of adelgid populations. Following several days in production stage, and also in the ratio of nitrogen January 2000 when temperatures fell below 0F, to potassium. Experiments in 1999 showed that more than 90% of the adelgids in northern additional nitrogen in the form of ammonium Connecticut died while P. tsugae survived the cold nitrate lowered yield and weight per tomato. weather. With greatly reduced adelgid numbers, However, experiments in 2000 showed additional hemlocks flourished during the cool, moist spring nitrogen in the form of magnesium nitrate and summer of 2000 and abundant new growth increased yield compared to the normal was evident in spring 2001. Although milder concentration. This year, we are comparing both temperatures during winter 2000-2001 allowed supplements in the same experiment, along with a about 60% survival of adelgids, pest densities potassium carbonate supplement. These amended remained low during spring 2001. nutrient solutions are compared to a control solution with standard concentrations of nitrogen 11. DISEASE-RESISTANT APPLE TRIAL and potassium. The plants grow in hydroponics R. Kiyomoto Assisted by J. Bravo using a rock-wool root medium. Twelve different cultivars or varieties are included in the trial. We This planting represents a comparison of compare how different fertilizer regimes affect disease-resistant cultivars released by the New growth, nutrient uptake, and the yield and quality York State Agricultural Experiment Station in of fruit, and determine how the cultivars differ in Geneva. The planting of disease-resistant apples their response to fertilizer. can drastically cut the use of fungicides. The cultivars are planted in four replications with four trees of each cultivar. The only commercial disease-resistant New York cultivar in this study is Liberty, which performs well but is susceptible to sooty blotch late in the season. Several next generation disease-resistant cultivars such as harvested for marketable yield eight times in 2001. Redfree, Dayton, and Enterprise from the Purdue- ‘Jersey Supreme’ and ‘Mary ’ had the Rutgers-Illinois have been highest yield. ‘Watham’ had the lowest yield due planted in the border row and represent an to poor crown establishment. improvement over the earlier releases. 15. COMPOSTING LEAVES USING THE 12. MUSHROOM COMPOST IN CONTAINER STATIC PILE METHOD MEDIA FOR CHRYSANTHEMUMS A. Maynard G. Bugbee and P. Johnson Assisted by Since the 1991 ban on disposing leaves in J. Dombrowski. landfills, large-scale leaf composting has spread This experiment is designed to determine if throughout Connecticut. Some 84 municipalities biosolids compost from Franklin Mushroom are currently composting their leaves. In static pile Farms can be used as a substitute for conventional composting, leaves are piled and the internal potting media in the culture of chrysanthemums. temperature of the pile is monitored. As the leaves Two varieties of chrysanthemums are being grown decompose, the temperature in the center of the in media containing 0, 25, 50 and 100% pile reaches a temperature of about 140F. When mushroom compost. the temperature decreases, the pile is turned and fresh material is introduced to the center of the 13. WINE GRAPE TRIALS pile. Turning also aerates the pile. Leaf compost is R. Kiyomoto Assisted by J. Bravo seen here in various stages of decomposition. The finished compost is used in experiments here at Wine grape cultivars have been tested in Lockwood Farm and at the Valley Laboratory in Connecticut to identify which are hardiest and of Windsor. acceptable quality for producing fine wine. This replicated planting compares the cultivars 16. CONTROL OF BLIGHT ON AMERICAN Chambourcin, Villard Noir, Seyval, and Villard CHESTNUTS Blanc. Past yield trials have shown that the same cultivars planted in Windsor matured earlier. S. Anagnostakis Assisted by P. Sletten Current research is attempting to find the balance These American chestnut trees were planted in between yield and acceptable quality for each 1976 when they were 3 years old. Chestnut blight cultivar. cankers were treated for 4 years, from 1978 to 1981, with our biological control using 14. EVALUATION OF ASPARAGUS hypovirulent strains of the blight fungus. The CULTIVARS FOR CONNECTICUT control is working well to keep the trees alive and W. Elmer Assisted by E. O'Dowd and L. Ferraro fruiting. Some of the trees are growing better than others. We do not know which trees were from Many different asparagus cultivars have been seed collected in Wisconsin and which were from developed for different climates around the world. Michigan. It is possible that the difference in their These plots were established to examine the ability to thrive in the presence of blight and performance of six cultivars that are advertised as hypovirulence indicates differences in resistance. being suitable for the New England climate. The The grafted tree in the center of the east row is planting was established in June 1999. Plots were from an “American” chestnut in Scientist’s Cliffs, MD, and the original tree resisted blight for many which causes Verticillium wilt on these crops. years (it may be a European hybrid). It definitely Portions of the field were treated last year by has some resistance, and is the best looking tree in incorporating kale and canola plant residues into the plot. Two grafted trees at the southeast corner the soil. No additional treatments were applied this are (Chinese X American) X American (cultivar year. Plant growth, wilt symptoms, and yield will ‘Clapper’) and have intermediate resistance to be monitored over the growing season to see blight. whether or not beneficial effects are still present.

17. NEW HYBRID CHESTNUT ORCHARD 20. INTRODUCED INSECTS THAT S. Anagnostakis Assisted by P. Sletten THREATEN LANDSCAPE AND ORCHARD PLANTS These small trees were planted as seedlings in 1990 to 2001. All are hybrids of American C. Maier Assisted by T. Zarrillo and A. Szewczak chestnut trees and blight-resistant Chinese, We are studying the seasonal activity, host Japanese, or hybrid trees. They will be grown to range, distribution, and damage of three exotic evaluate their blight resistance in the presence of insects to evaluate their potential to become the biological control that we assume will move serious pests in Connecticut. The small Japanese over from the adjoining plot. The trees that look cedar longhorned beetle, Callidiellum rufipenne, most like American chestnut trees and have good attacks stressed coniferous landscape plants, such blight resistance will be used in future crosses for as arborvitae. The eastern Asian apple tortrix, timber trees. Others will be developed as orchard fuscocupreanus, and the Eurasian green trees for Connecticut growers. The paper bags on pug, Chloroclystis rectangulata, are caterpillars the trees cover hand-pollinated flowers from this that eat the leaves and blossoms of apple and other year's crosses. orchard plants.

18. QUESTION AND ANSWER TENT 21. RASPBERRY TRIAL S. Douglas, T. Rathier, K. Welch, M. Inman, R. Kiyomoto Assisted by J. Bravo G. Ridge-O'Connor, and J. Winiarski The goal of the raspberry trial is to identify Ask questions about plants, soils, and insects varieties which will be productive, of good here. quality, and extend the harvest season in Connecticut. The newer cultivars in the trial being 19. CANOLA AND KALE AS GREEN compared for yield this year are Caroline, Anne, MANURE CROPS TO CONTROL Polana, Lauren, NY7, and NY1009. VERTICILLIUM WILT OF TOMATO, EGGPLANT, AND POTATO 22. HOP PEST TOLERANCE TRIAL F. Ferrandino R. Kiyomoto Assisted by J. Bravo The chemical breakdown products of members This planting was installed in Spring 1998. It of the cabbage family can be lethal to certain includes three of the most productive hop soilborne pathogens. In this plot, various cultivars, Nugget, Cascade, and Galena from a solanaceous vegetables are planted in soil previous trial, 1995-97, which included previously infested with Verticillium dahliae, 10 cultivars. The purpose of these limited trials is to identify cultivars which are most tolerant to the 26. BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY OF principal pests in Connecticut. CHEMICALS IN SOIL J. Pignatello, W. Braida, and D. Zhao 23. ORCHARD OF NUT TREES Many chemicals find their way into the soil S. Anagnostakis Assisted by P. Sletten where they may pose a risk to people or other This orchard of grafted nut trees was planted by organisms that come in contact with the Richard Jaynes in the spring of 1981. There are contaminated soil. This risk is expected to be several named cultivars of chestnut included. Last lessened by the chemical’s tendency to bind year and this year we planted several new chestnut (adsorb) to soil particles. A number of initially cultivars that we want to test for their production sterile soils were exposed to a common pollutant, potential in Connecticut. phenanthrene, for about 6 months. As experiments on various soils were then carried we found that 24. PHYTOREMEDIATION OF both desorption and biodegradation were initially AGRICULTURAL SOILS CONTAMINATED fast and then continued at a slow rate. Bio- WITH DDE availability is clearly limited by the rate of J. White Assisted by L.Wagner desorption from the particle into water. A small fraction remained bound to the soil even after Field experiments are being conducted to extremely long desorption times and this fraction investigate the effect of common cucurbits is completely unavailable to a Pseudomonad (squash, pumpkin, melon, cucumber) on the fate bacterium used as a indicator of its bio- and behavior of weathered residues of p,p’-DDE. availability. DDE is the main breakdown product of DDT and both compounds are persistent organic pollutants 27. EXPERIMENT STATION ASSOCIATES (POPs). Preliminary data has suggested that these crops vary greatly in the amount of weathered Information is available on this organization pesticide residues absorbed into their roots and formed to help the Experiment Station. translocated throughout their shoots. If certain 28. SPIDERS OF CONNECTICUT plants can remove enough of the pollutant, phytoremediation, or plant-assisted cleanup of C. Vossbrinck these residues, may be of practical use for field Connecticut has a wide array of native spider contaminated soils. species from hunting spiders like wolf spiders to orb weaving spiders which build elaborate webs in 25. CONNECTICUT FUND FOR THE forests and fields. There are three spiders ENVIRONMENT commonly found in the home; the comb footed spider, Archaearanea tepidariorum (the house Learn about how this organization advocates spider), responsible for the “cob webs” in your solutions for protecting our natural resources. house; a greenish-yellowish hunting spider, Chiracanthium mildei, which may, on rare occasion, be responsible for spider bites; and the long legged cellar spider, Pholcus phalangoides, seen in basements and garages. While we all have a certain amount of “arachnophobia”, the spiders of Connecticut are generally harmless and helpful 30. BELL ATLANTIC TELEPHONE creatures. Nearly all spiders have a venom which TRANSMISSION SILO they can inject into prey insects such as flies, Learn about the new cellular transmission silo. and beetles to stun or kill them. If the venom of a particular spider species is toxic to 31. SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS OF humans it is termed poisonous. Only one spider PESTICIDES IN AIR found rarely in Connecticut, the black widow, Lactrodectus mactans, is poisonous. B. Eitzer Organic pesticides can volatilize from soil. To 29. MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE FOR WEST determine their airborne concentration, pesticides NILE VIRUS are trapped in polyurethane foam by using a high T. Andreadis, J. Anderson and C. Vossbrinck volume air sampler to draw air through the foam. Assisted by J. Shepard, M. Thomas, B. Hamid, The foam is then extracted in the laboratory with A. Rahmann, M. Baron, E. Banach, solvent. The solvent is concentrated and analyzed E. Calandrella, J. Duarte, J. Capotosto, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. L. Graham, D. Henderson, K. Jones, C. McGee, L. Mickowski and A. Pennell 32. MINIMUM FERTILIZATION FOR HOME GARDENS AMENDED BY LEAFMOLD In 2000, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station trapped and tested over A. Maynard and D. Hill 137,000 mosquitoes for West Nile (WN) virus as Annual amendment with leaf compost prevents part of a state wide Mosquito Management compacting and crusting of the soil surface and Program. Fourteen isolations of the virus were promotes root growth and infiltration of rain. In made from four species of mosquitoes trapped at these plots, addition of 1 inch leaf compost 11 locations in eight communities in Fairfield and annually since 1982 increased organic matter from New Haven counties (Greenwich, Stamford, 5.9 to 12.6%. Increased root growth in the Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield, Milford, Shelton, amended soil allows plants to utilize nutrients in a and Meriden). Over 1000 birds (mostly crows) in greater volume of soil than plants in untreated soil 109 communities tested positive for WN virus, of greater density. We are measuring the effect of and seven horse cases were recorded in Danbury, reduced rates of fertilization (2/3, 1/3, 0 of normal Newtown, Milford, Cheshire, Middlefield, rates) on the yields of several vegetables by Glastonbury, and Hebron. One human case from comparing them with yields achieved with normal Norwalk was reported to the Department of Public rates of fertilization and untreated controls. We are Health. Nationwide, the virus spread from the tri- measuring the nutrient status of the soils in each state area (CT, NY, NJ) in 1999 to 12 states (NH, plot throughout the growing season. Each year VT, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC) since 1982, yields on the leaf compost amended and the District of Columbia in 2000. Since the plots under 2/3 and 1/3 fertilization have been virus could re-emerge anywhere in Connecticut in consistently greater than on unamended plots with 2001, the mosquito trapping program has been full fertilization. expanded to 91 locations, and trapping is being conducted from June through October. 33. INFLUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT ON 35. NEW EHRLICHIA DISCOVERED IN WHITE CEDAR WETLANDS CONNECTICUT J. Ward Assisted by J.P. Barsky L. Magnarelli, K. Stafford III, J. Anderson, J. IJdo During 1997-2001, this study examined current (Yale University), and E. Fikrig (Yale and historic growth of over 2600 trees. Red maple University) Assisted by T. Blevins (wet sites) and eastern hemlock (moist sites) were A new human pathogen, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the most common species in both the upper and has been detected in lone star ticks (Amblyomma lower canopy. Cores from 1058 trees indicated americanum) in Fairfield County. DNA analyses that diameter growth increases were only of 106 adult ticks revealed an infection rate of significant for those trees that were very near to a 7.6%. The pathogenic bacterium attacks white recent development (0-15 feet from edge). Two blood cells and causes human monocytic hundred thirty two vascular plant species were ehrlichiosis. found on 208 milacre plots during 1998-1999. High diversity (species richness) was observed 36. DEER-VEHICLE COLLISIONS IN near recent development and in areas of low CONNECTICUT conifer density. The influence of recent development extended only 60 feet into the forest. U. Ramakrishnan Assisted by S. Williams Other disturbances (well fields, infiltration beds, Deer-vehicle collisions in Connecticut have and drainage basins) had insignificant on been increasing steadily over the last decade. In diversity. The drought in 1999 reduced diameter the year 2000, over 3,300 deer-vehicle collisions growth of all species of all size classes on all were reported in Connecticut. We examined the treatments. accident reports, and analyses revealed that most of the accidents occurred between October and 34. LYME DISEASE IN TICKS FROM December, corresponding with the deer breeding- CONNECTICUT CITIZENS season. Accidents were more likely to occur after dark, between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. We also found J. Anderson Assisted by B. Hamid, B. Zolla, and that incidents of deer-vehicle collisions were S. Harma greatest on secondary roads. The towns that Ticks which have fed on humans are tested for recorded the highest deer-vehicle collisions the presence of Lyme disease at the request of included Madison, North Branford, and Groton. municipal health departments. In 2000, 6,652 black-legged, or deer, ticks (Ixodes 37. METHODS OF ESTIMATING DEER scapularis) were received and 6,263 of those were POPULATION SIZE IN SUBURBIA tested. 24% of the tested ticks carried the Lyme U. Ramakrishnan Assisted by S. Williams disease organism. Other ticks commonly found in Connecticut are the American dog tick In Connecticut, deer population sizes are (Dermacentor variabilis) and the lone star tick generally estimated using records of road kill, (Amblyomma americanum). records of deer harvested during the hunting season, or aerial surveys. However, these estimates are either not accurate or expensive and logistically difficult to conduct. We experimented with different census techniques to find a method that was both affordable and accurate. Our 39. CONNECTICUT WEEDS AND WILD research was conducted at Lake Gaillard in North PLANTS Branford, an area of high deer density adjacent to T. Mervosh Assisted by D. Laiuppa residential communities. Three methods were tested: visual sightings along roads (road counts); Plants found in fields and landscapes of mark-recapture using infrared-triggered cameras; Connecticut are displayed. Taxonomy, life cycles, and counting deer along a predetermined line and toxicity/edibility information will be (line-transect). The road counts seriously over- presented. Special emphasis will be placed on estimated the number of deer in an area. While the non-native, invasive plant species. Weed control mark-recapture technique provided more accurate questions will be addressed. information on population structure, the density estimates were not as accurate. This technique also 40. PLANT HEALTH CARE FOR THE required substantial effort and expense. The line- CONNECTICUT NURSERY AND transect technique provides the most accurate LANDSCAPING INDUSTRIES results at the lowest cost and least effort. It is also T. Abbey easy to conduct, thus information can be gathered using trained volunteers. Plant health care is a management strategy that includes traditional pest management, but also 38. HOST-TARGETED CONTROL OF THE emphasizes proper plant selection, planting “DEER” TICK procedures, and plant maintenance (pruning, watering, etc.). Two projects started in the spring K. Stafford Assisted by H. Stuber, J. Fengler, of 2001 focus on these components of plant health S. Falzone, and L. Curtis care. They are development of a brochure to The tick Ixodes scapularis transmits the agents educate consumers about non-invasive ornamental of Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis. plant species and evaluation of mycorrhizal fungi, There were 3,772 cases of Lyme disease reported biostimulants, and planting gels on the in Connecticut in 2000, a new record. Host- establishment and growth of four woody targeted approaches to tick control may be an ornamental plant species. important tool in managing tick populations and risk of disease. Trials of a new rodent bait box 41. UTILIZATION OF COMPOST IN CUT using fipronil (the chemical in Frontline) were FLOWER PRODUCTION expanded in 2001 as part of Lyme disease A. Maynard community intervention programs. Initial studies with a fipronil bait box produced substantial For farmers with roadside stands or who attend reductions in the tick population. Usage of the farmer’s markets, cut flowers are a lure which 4-poster device for the topical application of a attracts people to the stand. In this 3-year pesticide to white-tailed deer to control ticks experiment, four annual species of cut flowers remained high (>90%) during the fourth year of a grown under three leaf compost/fertilizer regional tick control project. Live ticks are combinations are being compared to an displayed under the microscope and information unamended control fertilized at the full rate of 10- on tick-associated diseases, tick bite prevention, 10-10 fertilizer (1300 lb/A). The flowers include and managing tick populations is available. zinnia, cosmos, snapdragon, and black-eyed Susan. Flowers are harvested weekly with data collected on the number of stems and blooms and 44. UTILIZATION OF COMPOST IN ROOT the effect of the treatments on diseases and CROP PRODUCTION insects. The experiment is also repeated at the A. Maynard Valley Laboratory in Windsor. Last year, with the exception of black-eyed Susan, the greatest yields While adding 1-inch of leaf compost annually were from plots amended with both compost and is usually not a hardship for the home gardener, the full rate of fertilizer. Yield of snapdragons for commercial growers, with acres under from compost-amended plots fertilized at half the cultivation, obtaining and applying that amount of rate was also greater than the unamended control compost is sometimes difficult. In this 3-year plots. The greatest yield of black-eyed Susans was experiment, four different root crops are being from the unamended control plots. grown in soil amended with varying amounts of leaf compost to determine the least amount of 42. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY compost that is effective. The root crops include CONTROLS OF POWDERY MILDEW ON parsnips, beets, carrots, and turnips. All plots PUMPKIN AND MUSKMELON receive the same amount (1300 lb/A) of 5-10-10 fertilizer. Germination percentage and yield from F. Ferrandino the various compost treatments will be compared Powdery mildew is an annual problem on to the unamended control plots. Last year, the pumpkins, squash, and melons in Connecticut. greatest yields were from compost-amended plots The disease usually starts in the first week of with even the smallest compost application rate of August. Symptomatic leaves appear to be dusted 10 T/A (<1/4 inch on the surface) producing with a fine white powder. This infection, which significantly higher yields compared to the can spread to cover most of the leaf tissue, reduces unamended control plot. photosynthesis and can reduce both the quantity and quality of the fruit produced. In this plot, we 45. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FUSARIUM are examining the beneficial effects of spraying ROT OF GLADIOLUS presymptomatic vines with 50% whole milk W. Elmer Assisted by E. O’Dowd and L. Ferraro solution and a 1% solution of baking soda in comparison to normal chemical controls. Fusarium rot of gladiolus is found wherever gladiolus are grown. The disease is caused by 43. SPREAD OF SEPTORIA LEAF SPOT IN A soilborne species of Fusarium and causes a corm LINEAR PLANTING OF TOMATOES rot. These plots are planted with the highly susceptible cultivar ‘Purple Passion.’ The study is F. Ferrandino designed to compare several biological control This plot consists of three 200-ft-long tomato agents with chemical fungicides for their efficacy rows spaced 4 ft apart. At the far southern edge of in reducing the severity of the disease and for this line of tomatoes, a group of thirty were close enhancing the quality of the flowers. In 2000, the planted in a 3 X 12 foot area. These plants were products Actinovate and RootShield reduced inoculated with the fungus Septoria lycopersicum disease severity and the amount of corm rot. which causes Septoria leaf spot during the second week of July. As the season progresses, the spread of this disease along the tomato rows will be closely examined. 46. FUSARIUM WILT OF BASIL asparagus called asparagus rust. The cultivar W. Elmer and G. Elliott Assisted by E. O’Dowd planted in these plots is called Emerald, and it has and L. Ferraro poor tolerance to rust. Since applications of NaCl were beneficial in suppressing crown and root rot Basil has become one of the most popular herbs of asparagus, we have hypothesized that NaCl grown in the United States. The seedborne disease may reduce damage due to the rust disease. If so, Fusarium wilt causes major losses of basil. Almost NaCl applications may offer an alternative to all basil cultivars are susceptible. This experiment growers in other parts of the world where rust is a is studying the effects of winter and spring constraint on production. This planting was rotation cover crops on the suppression of established in May 1999, and treatments were Fusarium wilt. This year, we are attempting to applied this spring. Yield and disease severity will create a field that is naturally infested with the be monitored for several years. fungal pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici. These basil plants have been infected with 49. CONNECTICUT NURSERYMEN'S the fungal pathogen and the disease will be GARDEN allowed to develop naturally. In September, cover crops will be planted. In 2002, plots will be E. Naughton replanted with basil to assess disease control of The Connecticut Nurserymen's Gardens are each cover crop. showcases of plants discovered or hybridized and introduced to the horticultural trade by 47. EFFECT OF TRELLISING ON SEVERITY Connecticut nurserymen. Similar gardens are at OF TOMATO POWDERY MILDEW the Valley Laboratory in Windsor and the Main V. Smith Assisted by J. Canepa-Morrison Laboratories in New Haven. All plants were donated by members of the Connecticut More and more tomato growers are using the Nurserymen's Association and planted in 1986-87. trellis system to grow their crops. Trellising keeps Introductions feature evergreen and deciduous plants growing upright and off the ground, and is azaleas, mountain laurel, maple, pine, hosta, iris, considered to be easier to set up than staking. In and other flowering and foliage plants. A brochure this plot, the influence of a trellis system for containing maps of all three gardens and a brief tomatoes on foliar diseases such as powdery description of the plants is available. mildew, early blight, and Septoria leaf spot is being observed. ‘Better Boy’ tomatoes have been 50. BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND BIRD pruned to two or three stems, and most suckers GARDEN have been removed. The trellis was introduced Created by Landscape Designer A. Bell, Assisted 2 weeks after planting. Data on foliar disease by E. Naughton, and Lockwood Farm staff, severity and fruit yield is being collected. C. Lemmon, L. Starr, J. Keegan, F. Milroyd, J. Lenart, and J. Fengler 48. EFFECT OF NaCl ON THE RUST DISEASE OF ASPARAGUS The garden is a joint project of The Experiment Station and the Federated Garden Clubs of W. Elmer Assisted by E. O’Dowd and L. Ferraro Connecticut. This garden was designed and Most asparagus varieties grown in New planted to demonstrate plants that serve as larval England have tolerance to a foliar disease of and nectar food sources for butterflies. In addition flowers and shrubs were added to attract 53. NURSERY AND BEE INSPECTIONS hummingbirds and provide fruits and berries for fall-migrating birds. C. Lemmon Assisted by D. Brown, J. Fengler, I. Kettle, S. Sandrey, and P. Trenchard 51. THE GYPSY MOTH FUNGUS Our personnel uphold laws enacted by the R. Weseloh Assisted by M. Lowry Legislature to protect Connecticut’s vegetation from injurious insects and disease. Each year we A disease of gypsy moth larvae caused by the inspect 9,000 acres of nursery stock grown in over fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga, is very effective 400 nurseries for insects and disease. When at controlling this pest. There are two pathways of problems are found, control remedies are infection. Caterpillars can be infected by the suggested. We inspect agricultural products to be germination of resting spores in the soil if the soil shipped to foreign or interstate destinations, and is moist and the larvae are near the forest floor. we survey Connecticut’s woodlands to find Also, if the air is very humid, larvae can be troublesome pests such as the gypsy moth and the infected by spores (conidia) produced from hemlock woolly adelgid. Examples of pests caterpillars that have recently died from the and plant diseases are exhibited. Insect survey fungus. Features of a computer program that has maps are shown. Connecticut has about 1,200 been developed to model these processes are beekeepers tending 5,000 colonies of honey bees. explained. Results from this model compare A task of the Experiment Station is to seek and favorably with actual infection rates of caterpillars eliminate contagious bee diseases and parasitic in the forest. mites. Insects that attack ornamentals, live honey bees, a beehive and various beekeeping 52. NATIVE WOODY SHRUBS equipment, and wasps and hornets and their nests J. Ward Assisted by J. Barsky are on display. Native woody shrubs offer an alternative to exotics commonly used in landscaping. This 54. ROTATION CROPS TO REDUCE LESION collection of shrubs was assembled in 1962 and in NEMATODES AND POTATO EARLY DYING 1976 it was arranged in its present form with a dry DISEASE site on the gravel mound and moist site in the J. LaMondia Assisted by J. Canepa-Morrison and shallow, plastic-lined depression. Many of these S. Lamoreaux shrubs flower in the spring; their flowers can be Early dying of potato is a complex disease seen in the photographs. Others, such as sweet caused by the wilt fungus Verticillium dahliae and pepperbush, spiraea, and buttonbush, flower in the lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans. The summer. Witchhazel flowers in early autumn. effects of several green manure rotation crops on Birds are frequent visitors to the garden and disease were evaluated in microplots at the Valley quickly eat the mature fruit. These shrubs survive Laboratory in Windsor. Superior potato, Humus with minimal maintenance. Occasional mowing, canola, Saia oat, Triple S sorghosudangrass, or annual removal of dead stems, and replenishment Gary oat were grown for a full season in of mulch are performed. The shrubs have never 24 replicate plots and tilled into soil. In the second been fertilized, watered, or treated for disease. year, polynema marigold replaced Saia oat. After the first year, soil was bio-assayed in the greenhouse for Verticillium wilt symptoms on eggplant. In the third year, potatoes were grown road. The cultivar ‘Lockwood’ is at the southwest and leaves symptomatic of early dying counted corner. weekly. A single year of rotation did not affect nematode densities or Verticillium symptoms on 57. DENSE PLANTING OF AMERICAN eggplant. However, Saia oat/Polynema marigold CHESTNUTS and sorghosudangrass rotations reduced lesion S. Anagnostakis nematode densities after 2 years. The Saia oat/marigold rotation also increased potato tuber In 1982, 300 seedling American chestnut trees yields by 40% and reduced early dying severity by from Michigan were planted in two dense plots. 25%. We treated the north plot with hypovirulence for blight control (see plot #17, “New Hybrid 55. SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CHESTNUTS TO Chestnut Orchard”), and it looks slightly better POWDERY MILDEW than the south plot. P.N. Gordon from The American Chestnut Foundation is using these trees V. Smith and S. Anagnostakis Assisted by now to see the yield of nuts possible under these P. Sletten conditions. American chestnut trees are very susceptible to powdery mildew, while Japanese, European, and 58. DWARF HYBRID CHESTNUT TREES Asian chestnut trees are more resistant. In this S. Anagnostakis Assisted by P. Sletten plot, various species of chestnut and their hybrids are being evaluated for level of resistance to These hybrid trees were planted by Richard powdery mildew. We have found that when trees Jaynes from 1970 to 1973. One of the parents in have more than 50% of their genes from American the hybrids was the dwarf species Castanea chestnut, they are very susceptible. However, seguinii, and the selected trees that remain when crossed with Japanese, European, or Asian produce abundant nut crops and have remained species, American chestnuts may gain resistance small. These are important parents in our to this disease. selections of orchard-type trees for Connecticut. The cultivar ‘Little Giant’ (see sign) was released 56. CHESTNUT SPECIES AND HYBRIDS to the nursery industry in 1999.

S. Anagnostakis Assisted by P. Sletten 59. APPLE CULTIVAR TRIAL These trees are part of the large collection of R. Kiyomoto Assisted by J. Bravo species and hybrids of chestnut maintained by the Experiment Station. Great differences can be seen This orchard contains approximately 84 apple in chestnut blight resistance, form, and nut cultivars replicated three times in a randomized production. Hypovirulent strains of the blight fashion. Included are some of the newest cultivars fungus help protect them from lethal cankers (see available and older, but not antique, cultivars. The plot #16, “Control of Blight on American purpose of this trial is to compare disease Chestnuts”). Plants of all seven species of chestnut resistance and compare the horticultural are growing here. In 1994, two seedlings from the characteristics of newer cultivars with local Caucasus Mountains of Russia that are true favorites. Gala and Fuji have been consistently European chestnuts were planted. Two trees of the productive in this trial. chinquapin native to Florida are planted across the 60. NECTRIA CANKER OF BLACK BIRCH hypovirulence (see plot #17, “New Hybrid F. Ferrandino Chestnut Orchard”) to keep them alive. The white paper bags cover the hand-pollinated flowers of A grove of black birch trees is being this year’s crosses. In addition, five of the trees established at Lockwood Farm and will eventually have been pruned heavily and we will harvest all consist of sample trees from all over the state. At of the nuts by cutting the burs before they have present, there are 32 trees from around Lake ripened. From the number of these nuts and the Saltonstall in Guilford. In the future, this plot will size of the sprouts from which they came we will be used to look for tolerance to disease and estimate potential yield. vigorous growth habits. 63. NE-183 APPLE VARIETY TRIAL 61. JAPANESE PLUM VARIETY TRIALS R. Kiyomoto Assisted by J. Bravo A. Maynard This planting is one of over 20 in North As wholesale marketing of major tree fruits America used to compare the same new varieties becomes unprofitable, many Connecticut growers in similar plantings. Since pesticide use was are turning to retail sales. For a retail operation to restricted, the disease-resistant varieties performed be successful, there must be a diversity of best here. Outstanding for productivity and disease products. Thus, many growers are interested in resistance are Enterprise and Royal Gala. Fortune growing minor fruits. We have expanded our New and Fuji performed well among the disease Crops Program to include fruits. This trial, also susceptible varieties. repeated at the Valley Laboratory in Windsor, includes eight variety/rootstock combinations of 64. COVER CROPS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON Japanese plum. In addition, two growers, one in PEST MANAGEMENT Cheshire and one in Sharon, are growing the same varieties. K. Stoner and W. Elmer Assisted by E. Amezzane, T. Zarrillo, E. O’Dowd, and A. Hedberg 62. ROCKY HILL AMERICAN CHESTNUT Vegetable growers use cover crops for a variety TREES of purposes: nutrient management, nitrogen S. Anagnostakis fixation (by legumes), erosion control, building organic matter in the soil, weed suppression, and Seed collected from selected American soil-borne disease suppression. In this project we chestnut trees in Rocky Hill in 1985 grew into the are studying the effect of four fall-planted cover trees planted here. They are used as female parents crops, four spring-planted cover crops, and four in crosses and are being treated with summer-planted green manure crops on beneficial and deleterious insects and soil microbes.

Tents were set up and other physical arrangements were made by A. Gagliardi, R. Russell and C. Whitehead under the supervision of Bancroft Nicholson of the Maintenance Department PLANT SCIENCE DAY is held annually in August at Lockwood Farm, Evergreen Avenue, Mt. Carmel, Hamden. Friends of the Experiment Station are invited to Agricultural Chemistry Night held in the autumn and Plant Science in the Spring held in the spring.

XYXYXYXYXYXY THE CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, founded in 1875, is the first experiment station in America. It is chartered by the General Assembly to make scientific inquiries and experiments regarding plants and their pests, insects, soil and water, and to perform analyses for State agencies.

OFFICE AND MAIN LABORATORIES 123 Huntington Street; New Haven, CT 06504 VALLEY LABORATORY 153 Cook Hill Road; Windsor, CT 06095 LOCKWOOD FARM 890 Evergreen Avenue; Hamden, CT 06518 XYXYXYXYXYXY

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